The two have spent, so far, the most successful years of their lives as teammates and closest friends. Banners, national titles, Hodge trophies and more. Now their attention has turned to MMA.
Despite Cassar and Nickal’s lack of professional experience being in his freshman year of MMA, the two enter the world of MMA as cornermen for each other, not just for wrestling experience, but for camaraderie and familiarity. It’s hard to be nervous with a teammate and friend you’ve spent the past decade pushing, losing weight, and achieving success with.
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“I think the most important thing is that there’s a familiar vibe that keeps him ready to go and comfortable,” Cassar said. “Whatever he needs to get there, I’m here. We have competed so many times together and we know each other so well that I know what prepares him to quit and he knows the same for me. He will also be in my corner. When you go to war you want to be around people you know and love, so I think that’s part of it.
Making his professional MMA debut just six months after Nickal, Cassar has already not only seen Nickal land his ticket to the UFC, but has completely set the MMA world on fire. The sport of folk wrestling needed a silver lining in the UFC, and Nickal has more than delivered so far.
